Gibson ‘Ashamed’ About His Behavior

Mel Gibson released a contrite statement through his publicist Saturday regarding his DUI arrest in Malibu early Friday morning.

“After drinking alcohol on Thursday night, I did a number of things that were very wrong and for which I am ashamed,” the statement read. “(After) I was stopped by the L.A. County Sheriffs ... I acted like a person completely out of control when I was arrested, and said things that I do not believe to be true and which are despicable. I am deeply ashamed of everything I said, and I apologize to anyone who I have offended.”

Gibson, 50, added in the statement, “I have battled the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse.”

A breath test indicated Gibson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent when he was pulled over, according to police. The legal limit in California is 0.08 percent.

Hollywood gossip website TMZ.com posted four pages of what it alleges is a copy of the police report, which details the Oscar winner screaming profanities and anti-Semitic slurs at authorities after being pulled over for speeding on the Pacific Coast Highway on Friday. Gibson is quoted as saying, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.”

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, issued a statement in response to Gibson’s alleged anti-Semitic remarks and subsequent mea culpa. “Mel Gibson’s apology is unremorseful and insufficient. It’s not a proper apology because it does not go to the essence of his bigotry and his anti-Semitism. His tirade finally reveals his true self and shows that his protestations during the debate over his film The Passion of the Christ, that he is such a tolerant, loving person, were a sham.

Foxman goes on to add: “It may well be that the bigotry has been passed from the father to the son. It is unfortunate that it took an excess of booze and an encounter with a traffic cop to reveal what was really in his heart and mind. We would hope that Hollywood now would realize the bigot in their midst and that they will distance themselves from this anti-Semite.”

In regard to allegations by TMZ of a cover-up, since L.A. sheriff’s department spokesman Steve Whitmore had said on Friday that Gibson was arrest “without incident,” Whitmore tells PEOPLE: “I can’t confirm or deny that the report posted on TMZ.com is real or not. When I said Gibson was arrested without incident, that means ‘without force.’ I can’t comment on details surrounding that (such as whether Gibson allegedly tried to escape and was handcuffed). There is no cover-up – everything that our officers wrote will be handed over to the DAs. There is no sanitized version.”

The Office of Independent Review, a department watchdog panel, has opened an investigation into whether authorities tried to cover up Gibson’s alleged inflammatory comments, its chief attorney, Mike Gennaco, tells the Associated Press.

“Assuming that the report was excised, then the question is was it done for a good reason within regulations,” he said.

And in more news.........................

Mel Gibson begs for forgiveness

Wednesday, 2nd August 2006, 12:05

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIFE STYLE EXTRA (UK) - Mel Gibson has begged the Jewish community for help after making anti-Semitic remarks during a drunken rant.

The ‘Mad Max’ actor - who has checked into rehab after being arrested on suspicion of drink driving in Malibu on Friday (28.07.06) - wants to meet with Jewish leaders to discuss how he can atone for the incident.

Gibson said in a statement: “I’m not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion, to discern the appropriate path for healing.

“There is no excuse, nor should there be any tolerance, for anyone who thinks or expresses any kind of anti-Semitic remark. I want to apologise specifically to everyone in the Jewish community for the vitriolic and harmful words that I said to a law enforcement officer the night I was arrested on a DUI charge.

“Please know from my heart that I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot. Hatred of any kind goes against my faith.”

Some Jewish leaders have praised the 50-year-old actor’s plea for help.

Rabbi Mark S. Diamond, of the 280-member Board of Rabbis of Southern California, said: “I welcome his words, and I hope and pray that they are sincere and heartfelt.”